Oh, the question nearest to "the meaning of life?"...lol.

My grandpa used rubber lizards almost exclusivity and could out fish most bass fishermen, simple black lizard-like rubber worms hooked with a plain hook (not a weedless or a weedless rigging). I have had much better luck with the purple worms and prefer the weighted weedless hooks, but I can catch the most bass with Mepps spinners (white or red fox squirrel colored).

It seems like when the bass are not hitting the only thing in the tackle box that might bring one in is the Mepps or Roostertail style spinners. When they are hitting good, the competition is tight between a rubber worm and an inline spinner.

I'd say the Mepps size #3 (1/4 oz)should target the 15 to 19" LMB, but the #2 (1/6 oz) may be preferred if they are used to eating smaller prey.

The funny thing is that I hear people talking highly about their go-to lures, some of which I couldn't catch a snag with if I tried all day. I think the multiple combinations of the location, situation, environment, and the users style of reeling/working the pole all play a part in what catches the fish. I have been to a few ponds where the bass won't show themselves for nothing, then I give up and start fishing for the pan-fish, put a cheap floating popper on the line and catch a bucket of bass. I'd never say that the poppers where great bass lures, but when they work, they work great...just not that often...for me.

Your results may vary!

I would pay attention to what your guests are catching the bass with and pay even more attention to the line weight and their retrieval methods (depth, speed, clicker on/off, steady or not, sink then reel or reel at water entry).

And, it's probably a popular notion that bass fishing is best at sun up.

Good Luck and let us know what you find that works for you!

Fish on!,
Noel